ROMANIA CROWNED WORLD CHAMPIONS IN RAS AL KHAIMAH AT ELECTRIFYING 2023 WMF MINIFOOTBALL WORLD CUP CLOSING CEREMONY
The tournament came to a thrilling end as Romania beat Kazakhstan in a nail-biting final match which went into extra time (2:2) and ended in a tense penalty shoot-out on November 4th
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 5th November 2023: In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Ceramics, the 2023 WMF Minifootball World Cup came to a thrilling end with Romania crowned the World Champions after 10 days of sporting action in Ras Al Khaimah. His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Saud Al Qasimi, together with WMF President, Filip Juda, presented the trophy to the Romanian team, who triumphed over Kazakhstan in the World Cup final.
In second place, Kazakhstan secured their position as the tournament’s runner-up, showcasing exceptional sportsmanship. The third-place team, Hungary, also made a strong impact on the tournament, earning the admiration of fans and competitors alike.
The spectacular closing ceremony celebrating the winners kicked off with dazzling performance by Light Orchestra Ballerina and an electrifying Football Parade that delivered yet another memory to treasure for minifootball fans around the world.
Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “Congratulations to Romania on an incredible performance. I would also like to thank all the nations that participated. Their collective efforts made this tournament an exciting and unforgettable event. Ras Al Khaimah takes great pride in being the first destination in the Middle East to host this international competition. We couldn’t be happier to have staged this wonderful event and played a key role in developing Minifootball in the region.”
Filip Juda, President of the World Minifootball Federation, said: “The 2023 Minifootball World Cup in the Ras Al Khaimah has been our most successful yet. The international Minifootball community is growing fast and we are proud to see we now have a growing cohort of footballers in the Middle East who will be part of our future tournaments. I’d like to thank Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority for their support in delivering a truly world-class tournament and the people of Ras Al Khaimah for their warm welcome, as well as the entire World Minifootball family. This year’s world cup tournament has raised the bar for minifootball’s visibility and development.”
Participating in the WMF World Cup for the first time, the UAE team delivered a spectacular performance that captivated fans and marked their journey to the quarter-finals. The host nation’s showcased their status as a rising powerhouse in the world of Minifootball, earning widespread recognition for their impressive skill and resilience on the field.
‘Falco’ – the tournament’s official mascot made his final appearance at the closing ceremony, bringing an end to his tour of schools and facilities across the Emirate and his welcome presence at the games. A symbol of cultural and historical importance in the UAE, Falco the falcon embodied the spirit of the WMF Minifootball World Cup tournament.
In this latest fixture in Ras Al Khaimah’s jam-packed calendar of sporting events, the emirate welcomed 32 international teams to the WMF Stadium on Al Marjan Island for the two-week tournament, in an international sporting spectacle.
For more information about the Minifootball World Cup, visit the official WMF website www.wmfworldcup.com. Alternatively, check out Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. Official Hashtags: #WMFWorldCup #WMFWC.